Florence is our destination, and our mission is to see the wonderful collections of Art which, by and large, were religious in nature. In addition to the green and white marble clad “Duomo” (cathedral) and it’s huge dome, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia is the most famous of works we will see.

There are no scriptures concerning Florence.  However, you can read about how beautifully the Temple in Jerusalem was furnished by reading 1 Kings 7.  Perhaps the opening hymn from one of our old hymnals would be appropriate for consideration today?

Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty 1

1 Open now thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer.
Oh, how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace!

2 Lord, my God, I come before Thee,
Come Thou also unto me;
Where we find Thee and adore Thee,
There a heav'n on earth must be.
To my heart, oh, enter Thou,
Let it be Thy temple now!

3 Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,
Here Thy seed is duly sown;
Let my soul, where it is planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone,
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

4 Thou my faith increase and quicken,
Let me keep Thy gift divine,
Howsoe'er temptations thicken;
May Thy Word still o'er me shine
As my guiding start through life,
As my comfort in my strife.

5 Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee,
Let Thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near Thee
While Thou dost Thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows,
Here is balm for all our woes.

From The Lutheran Hymnal